This is the moment a herd of cows enjoys a dip in the sea in front of shocked beachgoers.

The video was filmed at Zorritos Beach in the north-western Peruvian department of Contralmirante Villar, and the footage was shared on social media where it has been viewed 280,000 times.

In the short clip, around a dozen cows are seen entering the sea and ‘riding the waves’ several metres from the shoreline.

According to the news site La Republica, the cows belonged to a farmer in the area who frequently takes them out to graze at local streams and, on this occasion, enjoy a dip in the ocean.

However, beachgoers and local fishermen were surprised to see the herd of cows amble into the water and enjoy a dip in the sea.

Local residents said the farmer was passing the seafront with 15 cows when he stopped to allow them some time on the beach.

According to La Republica, some stunned beachgoers thought the animals would drown, however cows are capable swimmers over short distances and they returned to the sand after enjoying the water for a few minutes.

One shocked beachgoer told local media: “It is the first time I’ve seen anything like this… ever!”

Facebook user ‘Roman Lazaro’ commented: “You have never seen anything like this before because you ain’t from the country!”